I grow lots of things for herbal teas, and I made a "to die for" tea blend last year that I've been enjoying all through the winter months. I classify things as those things that are tender that I grow in pots so I can move them in during the winter, things that I grow in pots outside because they are wildly invasive and I don't want them taking over my yard, perennials that I can keep under control, and annuals or things I grow from seed each year. So here is my list (with comments): Tender things: Lemon Verbena - an absolute essential for herbal teas - the very best lemony herb. It is a small shrub that does well in pots, but it will not survive anywhere that has cold winters. I move it in during winter. Stevia - I like it, my wife does not, but it has a similar growth habit as the Lemon Verbena, needing to be brought in during winter. Lemon Grass - I grow it in a pot, but each spring after last frost, I dump it out of its big pot, split the clump in half, put one half in the yard, and the other half back in the pot with some fresh potting mix. Both stay out all summer, but before it gets cold I move the pot in the house - the one in the ground dies. Works great for me. Pineapple Sage - I've had no luck keeping it alive outside in the winter, so I grow it in a pot and bring it in. Yerba Mate - Great stuff, but a tropical, so I'm keeping it under control, not to big in a pot, and moving it inside when cold. Some Mints - Although most mints are extremely hardy, I've had some Orange Mints and Apple Mints and other similar ones die completely in cold weather. Maybe a more sheltered location would be okay Things in Pots: Mints - Peppermint, Spearmint, Kentucky Gentleman, Orange Mint, Apple Mint, Chocolate Mint, Banana Mint, Candy Cane, Berries & Cream Mint, Ginger Mint. So far I have still not been able to stay ahead of our families' use of mints during the growing season to where we don't run out of dried long before the growing season starts up again - though I'm trying. Lemon Balm - because it spreads like mints. Perennials: Stinging Nettles - Extremely nutritious and makes a great addition to tea blends, but the stuff grows like mad and can be invasive. I have it planted in a raised bed, will kill anything that tries to peek out, and keep it cut back unmercifully in order to keep it from going to seed - because it really wants to. A great addition to things like soups and stews, adding a flavor and texture like spinach. Of course dealing with the "stinging" part.... Bee Balm (Bergomat) - A great tea herb and flowering perennial, though it can also be invasive. I cut a lot of it while young, no more than a foot tall, makes a great tea fresh or dried. Lemon Bergomat - see above. Anise Hyssop - Such a great tea herb, adds a sweetness really better than Stevia in my opinion. Tea - Camellia sinensis - my plants are still fairly young, but I was able to collect some leaf tips last year, and miraculously they made it through winter here.. I'm afraid that is the challenge. Lavender - I use it sparingly in my tea, but it is an interesting flavor in small amounts. Catnip - I really haven't been growing this much, but it is a great tea herb that can be invasive like lemon balm and other mints. Roses for Rose Hips - The best hips on any roses are on those in the Rugosa variety. Luckily this is a very old fashioned variety, resistant to many of the challenges of roses. I love them for tea, but in reality they are far harder to deal with than Roselle, which come off in buckets full. Annuals: Chamomile - A necessity, no question, though sometimes I've had a challenge getting it to germinate and get started - seems like it should even do a better job of reseeding!! Roselle - This is the hibiscus used for the best tea. If you've ever had Red Zinger, this is what makes it. Requires a very long growing season - even I start it inside here in Zone 7 to get it going sooner. I had nine plants last year, and once they started producing late August I was filling my dehydrator and teapot about every other day until frost. Besides mints and Anise Hyssop, I would say this is my favorite. Yes, I had to learn how to process them quickly and effectively, but once I did it was no problem. Far, far more productive than any roses, with a similar kind of contribution to the tea. Callendula - The bright yellow flowers make a wonderful addition to a pot of tea and they are extremely good for you in multiple ways. I'm sure there are some others I've got and am looking to grow, as I'm always looking for great additions. Culinary and medicinal herbs is something for an entirely different post!!

Michelle, I got my package today. I am very happy with all the seeds I got. Thanks for sending me lot more extras than what I sent. Wow! lots of petunia which are my favorites. I love all the seeds. Can't wait to start them. Thanks everyone for sharing. My special thanks to Michelle.

Paula, Thank you for the offer but I don't collect gobs and gobs of seeds. I just collect a few seed heads of things I think others might like to grow and a few for myself for the next year if they are annuals. I shouldn't say this here on the garden web but I toss most seeds in the trash as I am cleaning up my gardens ( take a deep breathe, stop gasping...lol). I think this year I will collect more than usual because I feel like a cheap skate when I see some of the other seed packets in swaps...lol I have added the petunias to your gift package and again, thank you for the offer. I will pass this time though. Lisa

I think the seed exchange has been decimated by people moving over to Facebook. Plus, there is such an extensive list of "bad traders," some added for absolutely no reason except that someone didn't like the trade they got, that it's become almost a clique. Please PM me. I may be able to help, depending on where you live.